Caleb and I discovered Trengothal in 2015. We instantly fell in love with the tranquility and beauty of this special place and the sense that it has been here for hundreds of years.
The farm’s name, ‘Trengothal’, is derived from the Cornish language. ‘Tre’ meaning homestead or place, ‘n’ meaning of and ‘gothal’ meaning watery ground. This likely refers to the surrounding landscape. Trengothal lies at the head of the Penberth valley and there are two fresh water springs on the farm.
Early History
Trengothal Farm has a rich history tied to its agricultural heritage. The farm has been in operation for centuries, with records dating back to the 16th century. Sixty people were listed as living here in the 18th century when the first censuses were compiled.
Western Farmhouse is one of a number of ancient farms that make up the hamlet of Trengothal. The core of the main house probably dates to the 17th century. It has been extensively rebuilt and modified in the 19th century. Development of the farm buildings also displays a complex history of enlargement and alterations.
At a certain time of day you can see a date, 1729. It is carved into the extension on the chimney of Western Farmhouse!
John of Chyanhor
The Tale of the Tin-Streamer – A West-Country Droll
There is an ancient Celtic folk tale of entitled “The Three Advices” or “The Tale the Servant’s Good Counsels”. The Cornish version was written down between 1660 and 1670 by Nicolas Boson, of Newlyn near Penzance. He was a teacher and it was one of several stories he used for teaching the Cornish language to his children.
Sections 1 to 14 are in the Gwavas Collection in John Boson’s hand together with the translation. He writes a comment “you want to read this distinctly as is written, and when I find you a proficient, I will go on with the story”…
The first paragraph in Cornish goes;
“ En Termen ez passiez Thera Trigaz en St. Levan; Dean ha Bennen en Tellar creiez chei a Horr* ”
…. which translates to…
“ In a time that is passed, there dwelt in St Levan a man and woman in a place called The House of a Ramm* ”
* “Chei a Horr” or Chyanhor survives in the Tithe Apportionment survey of 1840 as a field name on Trengothal Farm!
Tithe Apportionment Survey of 1840. Chyanhor is shown in the plots numbered 89 (Chyanhor Field – Arable), 106 (Chyanhor Downs – Rough Pasture) and 108 (Chyanhor Downs – Arable)
The story crops up many times in books written about Cornwall. “Traditions and Hearthside stories of West Cornwall” by William Bottrell, 1873, is transcribed here for you to read…
Another, “Romances of The West of England” by Robert Hunt, 1896, is transcribed for you to read here:
Trengothal Barn is shown on the Tithe Apportionment Survey of 1840 as plot number 71 and 72. They are described as a homestead with tenants. You can see three small barns in red and a courtyard. The L-shaped barn on the right of the plot is Western Farmhouse, with the chimney mentioned above. It was the farmhouse and dairy. The field opposite, plot 74 is where the Berkshire pigs reside! It was called Well Field and it used to have a pond in it.
